Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta – bites of chicken, sliced mushrooms and bell peppers blanketed in a creamy, spicy Cajun Alfredo sauce.

black bowl, creamy pasta garnished with bail leaves and diced tomatoes

Easy is the name of this game. Everything cooks in one pot – chicken, vegetables – even the pasta! – then it all gets blanketed in a creamy Cajun Alfredo sauce.

The inspiration for this recipe comes straight from a trip to New Orleans. I’m totally obsessed with the food in that lively city and can’t wait for a return trip. 

black bowl, creamy pasta with chicken garnished with basil leaves and diced tomatoes

This simple recipe is packed with bold, zesty flavors and is a complete meal in one pot making it perfect for busy days. Aren’t they all?

what’s in Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta?

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning 
  • 2 boneless chicken breasts (can sub thighs)
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 small onion
  • 1 cup chopped bell pepper (any colors work)
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • fresh mushrooms
  • 2 1/2 cups chicken stock
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream divided
  • 2 cups uncooked penne pasta
  • 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley
  • Optional garnishes: diced tomatoes, basil or extra grated parmesan cheese 

black bowl with creamy penne pasta, bites of chicken and mushrooms garnished with basil leaves

how to make creamy chicken pasta:

Combine the olive oil and 1 ½ tablespoons of Cajun seasoning in a bowl. Add bite size pieces of chicken then gently toss to coat.

In a deep skillet or pot over medium heat add the chicken then cook about 2 minutes per side until they get some color (they don’t have to be cooked through at this point).

Add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil then drop in the onions, bell pepper, grated garlic and mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper to taste and sauté 1-2 minutes or until the onions start to soften.

Pour in the stock and 1/2 cup of the heavy cream then bring to a boil. Add the uncooked pasta and cook 8-10 minutes or until the pasta is tender, stirring often so the pasta doesn’t stick to the skillet (there will be a small amount of liquid left in the skillet at this point).

Fold in the remaining heavy cream, parmesan cheese and parsley stirring well to combine. Taste and adjust for salt and pepper, add (optional) diced tomatoes and extra parmesan cheese to  garnish then serve right away.

black bowl, penne pasta in cream sauce with mushrooms

variations to this recipe:

  • Add extra vegetables and keep it strictly vegetarian. 
  • Sub in shrimp instead of chicken (less cooking time!)
  • Andouille sausage for an extra kick.

black bowl, creamy penne pasta and chicken garnished with diced tomatoes

Looking for other easy, one pot pasta dishes?

20 Minute Sausage Tortellini – cooks all in one pot in just 20 minutes! Cheese tortellini, Italian sausage, tomatoes, spinach and parmesan cheese in a delicious creamy sauce.

Lasagna Soup (one pot or slow cooker options) – ground beef and lasagna noodles in a rich cheesy tomato broth in 30 minutes! Top with ricotta for all the comfort of the classic dish without the time!

Beef Stroganoff Hamburger Helper – not your mama’s Hamburger Helper! This easy, one pot meal is made from scratch in minutes with ground beef, egg noodles and fresh sautéed mushrooms in a rich creamy sour cream sauce.

Enjoy!

If you tried this Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe or any other on the blog then I’d love to hear from you with a comment or some stars.

Do we share a love of easy, tasty recipes? LIKE ME on FACEBOOK, FOLLOW along on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST and SUBSCRIBE ⇓ for all the latest recipes sent right to your email box.

pinterest pin - black bowl, creamy penne pasta with chicken garnished with small basil leaves

creamy cajun chicken pasta ~ cajun seasoned chicken, penne pasta, bell peppers and mushrooms in a cajun alfredo sauce garnished with basil leaves

One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta cooks completely in one pot. Spicy Cajun chicken, sliced mushrooms and bell pepper blanketed in a creamy spicy Cajun alfredo sauce.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Cajun
Servings 4
Calories

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 1 ½ tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • 2 chicken breasts cut in bite size pieces can sub chicken thighs
  • 1 small small onion diced
  • 1 cup bell pepper diced (any color)
  • 2 whole garlic cloves grated
  • 1 ½ cups fresh mushrooms sliced
  • 2 ½ cups chicken stock
  • 1 ½ cups milk any %
  • ¾ cup heavy cream divided
  • 2 cups UNCOOKED penne pasta
  • ¾ cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 2 tablespoons Italian parsley chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional garnishes: diced tomatoes, basil or extra grated parmesan cheese 

Instructions
 

  • Combine the olive oil and 1 ½ tablespoons of Cajun seasoning in a bowl. Add bite size pieces of chicken then gently toss to coat.
  • In a deep skillet or pot over medium heat add the chicken then cook about 2 minutes per side until they get some color (they won't be cooked through at this point).
  • Add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil then drop in the onions, bell pepper, mushrooms and grated garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste and sauté 1-2 minutes or until the onions start to soften.
  • Pour in the chicken stock and 1/2 cup of the heavy cream then bring to a boil. Add the UNCOOKED pasta and cook 8-10 minutes or until the pasta is tender, stirring often so the pasta doesn’t stick to the skillet (there will be a small amount of liquid left in the skillet at this point).
  • Fold in the remaining heavy cream, parmesan cheese and parsley stirring well to combine. Taste and adjust for salt and pepper, add (optional) diced tomatoes and extra parmesan cheese to  garnish then serve right away
Keyword cajun chicken pasta, creamy cajun chicken pasta, one pot cajun chicken pasta, cajun recipes
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!